Electrically operated stored energy system for circuit breakers



NOV. 22, 1960 R v STARR 2,961,067

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED STORED ENERGY SYSTEM FOR CIRCUIT BREAKERS 7Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 12. 1958 INVENTOR. 065/67 K 779/4 Nov. 22,1960 2,961,067

R. V. STARR ELECTRICALLY OPERATED STORED ENERGY SYSTEM FOR CIRCUITBREAKERS Filed Nov. 12. 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 06527 57/7/2Nov. 22, 1960 R. v. STARR 2,961,067

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED STORED ENERGY SYSTEM FOR CIRCUIT BREAKERS FiledNov. 12. 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Q I. A32 0 INVENTOR.

Nov. 22, 1960 TARR 2,961,067

R. V. S ELECTRICALLY OPERATED STORED ENERGY SYSTEM FOR CIRCUIT BREAKERSFiled NOV. 12. 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. 60 445 79 7 11.52774?Nov. 25, 1566- R. v. STARR 2,961,067 ELECTRICALLY OPERATED STORED ENERGYSYSTEM FOR CIRCUIT BREAKERS 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed NOV. 12. 1958 Nww H.M% w m W K Mr {H mm 4 W Nov. 22, 1960 R. v. STARR 2,961,067

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED STORED EnERGY SYSTEM FOR CIRCUIT BREAKERS FiledNov. 12. 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 l INVENTOR.

\ fizz-e7 fry/6e BY 7 a Nov. 22, 1960 R. v. STARR 2,961,067

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED STORED ENERGY SYSTEM FOR CIRCUIT BREAKERS FiledNov. 12. 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 tates ELECTRICALLY OPERATED TORED ENERGYSYSTEM FOR CIRCUIT BREAKERS Filed Nov. 12, 1953, Ser. No. 773,331

16 Claims. (Cl. 185-40) This invention relates to a stored energy springclosing mechanism for circuit breakers and is more specifically directedto a spring closing mechanism which can be charged by electrical ormanual operating means.

In the novel spring closing mechanism or" the invention, the closingspring may be charged by a relatively small motor which oscillates acharging lever which in turn causes a charging of the spring. By makingthe oscillation of a relatively small amplitude, the size of thecharging means may be substantially reduced because of the short strokerequired. This novel oscillatory charging mechanism further permits asimplified manual operation of the mechanism for emergency conditions orfor testing.

The springs of the mechanism may be discharged only after being fullycharged to some predetermined position so that a uniformly high closingspeed is imparted to the circuit breaker contacts regardless of the lineconditions, low control voltage or loss of control voltage for thecircuit breaker and the circuit breaker may always be closed and latchedagainst its short-time delay trip current.

A uniform amount of energy is available for any closing operation sincemy novel mechanism permits the same fully charged position of the springprior to its discharge under any condition. Furthermore the chargingposition of the closing mechanism and its discharge is independent ofthe motor and various factors which affect the motor such as lubricanttemperature and motor voltage, which has previously caused a variabledrag on the closing mechanism.

A two stage closing cam action wherein one of the cams is a part of acollapsible mechanism is then provided so that the force-displacementcurve of the closing springs may be accurately matched to theforce-displacement curve of the circuit breaker opening springs in muchthe same manner as described in my copending application Serial No.773,332, filed November 12, 1958, entitled Spring Closing SystemforCircuit Breakers, and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention.

The closing springs of my invention are normally in a dischargedcondition and the closing cycle includes a first portion in which thesprings are charged by a'motor. When the springs are fully charged, theymay be automatically discharged to transfer their energy to the circuitbreaker contacts or they may be held in a charged condition until suchtime as an operator cares to discharge them.

The mechanism is preferably controlled by a motor closing control meansof the type set forth in copending application Serial No. 773,468, filedNovember 12, 1958, in the names ofCharles J. Yarrick and Einar H.Fredrickson, entitled Control Mechanism for Spring Close CircuitBreakers, and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention.

Accordingly a primary object of this invention is to ice 4'. provide anovel spring closing mechanism for circuit breakers.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel spring closingmechanism for circuit breakers wherein the springs may be charged to apredetermined charging position by electrically operated means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel chargingmechanism for the springs of a spring closing mechanism which can beautomatically operated by electric means or by manual means.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel springclosing mechanism for circuit breakers wherein a motor initially chargesthe springs and when the springs are charged to a predeterminedposition, they are either automatically discharged independently of themotor or are held charged until a later time.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel spring closingmechanism for circuit breakers wherein a two stage latch system isprovided as a holdup latch to prevent discharge of the springs untilthey are charged to some predetermined value.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which-Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the closing control mechanismin conjunction with the charging structure up to the point of the firststage closing cam where the charging spring is in its charged position.

Figure 2 is similar to Figure 1 where the control structure is containedwithin its housing, and the mechanism is in a discharged position.

Figure 2a.illustrates a modification of a discharge control for themechanism of Figures 1 and 2 wherein the discharge is manuallycontrolled by the physical motion of the electrical close switch,supplementing the function of the closing relay.

Figure 3 illustrates a continuation of the structure of Figures 1 and 2and shows the connection in perspective view from the first stageclosing cam to the circuit breaker contacts.

Figure 4 is a side view of the operating mechanism of Figures 1 and 3where the circuit breaker contacts are open and the operating mechanismis in an active position.

Figure 5 is similar to Figure 4 and illustrates the mechanism positionimmediately after contact closing.

Figure 6 illustrates the mechanism of Figures 4 and 5 when the circuitbreaker trip latch has been operated and the circuit breaker contactsare disengaged.

Figure 7 is a top view of the lower half of the control structure ofFigures 1 and 2.

Figure 8 is a front view of the control structure of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 9 is a bottom view of the upper housing of the control mechanismof Figures 1 and 2 and particularly illustrates the contact structure.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the control structure of Figure 7taken across the lines 10-10.

Figure 11 is a side cross sectional view of Figure8 taken across thelines 11-11 and particularly illustrates the limit switch mechanism.

Figure 12 is a further cross sectional view of Figure 8 taken across thelines 12-12 and particularly illustrates the lockout relay mechanism.

Figure 13 is a cross sectional view of Figure 7 taken across the lines13-13 and particularly illustrates the latch release mechanism.

Figure 14 is a first embodiment of the electrical connection of thecontrol mechanism and spring charging motor.

Spring closing mechanism Referring first to Figure 3, the invention isapplicable to any type of circuit breaker and the circuit breaker isschematically illustrated here as including first and second stationarycontacts 20 and 22 which cooperate with respective movable contacts 24and 26 which are pivotally mounted at pivots 28 and 30 respectively. Thepivot point 28 and movable contact 24 is schematically illustrated inFigures 4, and 6 to indicate the position of the movable contact inthese figures. Each of movable contacts 24 and 26 are pivotallyconnected to operating links 32 and 34 respectively which are pivotallyconnected at their opposite ends to operating arms 36 and 38'respectively. Operating arms 36 and 38, along with the operating arm ofany other pole are then connected through a common jack shaft 40 in theusual manner. It is to be understood that the circuit breaker set forthabove may be of any desierd type and a specific structure set forth isthere for purposes of illustration only. Thus, the circuit breaker couldbe a single pole or multipole unit and could be of any type which wouldrequire a spring closing mechanism.

The operating arm 36 is provided with a rearwardly extending cam member42 which, as will be described hereinafter, is the second stage closingcam of the closing mechanism. This closing mechanism will close themovable contacts 24 and 26 against the force of their opening biasspring such as the opening bias spring 44 which is fixed at one end andis terminated at its other end of shaft 46 which is pivotally connectedto the tops of contact arms 36 and 38.

The operating mechanism as is best seen in Figures 1, 2 and 4 includesenergy storing springs 48 which are operatively connected to cam member42 and are extendible from the position of the Figure 2 to the positionof Figures 1 and 4 and are latchable in the extended position so as tobe discharged at an appropriate time. The mechanism by which the spring48 is operatively connected to cam 42 will be described more fullyhereinafter.

The charging means for charging the spring is shown in Figures 1 and 2and includes an operating means or an electrically energizable meanssuch as motor 50 which has a gear reduction box 52 at its output wherethe output of gear box 52 drives an arm 54 or a charging mechanism in acounter-clockwise direction about the output shaft 56. The outer end ofarm 54 carries a roller 58 which as will be presently seen, oscillates apawl carrier 60. Pawl carrier 60 is pivotally mounted on relativelystationary shaft 62 and pivotally carries a drive pawl 64 on pivot 66.The biasing spring 67 biases pawl carrier 60 in a clockwise directionand tends to maintain pawl carrier 60 in engagement with roller 58.Drive pawl 64 is biased in a counter-clockwise direction about its pivot66 by biasing spring 68 which is connected between the lower end ofdrive pawl 64 and the pawl carrier 60. Spring 68 more specificallybiases drive pawl 64 towards engagement with a ratchet Wheel 70 which iscarried in the same shaft 62 which carries the pawl carrier 60. Ratchetwheel 70 is further associated with a holding pawl 72 which is pivotallymounted on a relatively fixed pivot 74 and is biased in acounter-clockwise direction by the biasing spring 76. Ratchet wheel 70further has a skipped tooth or flat portion 77 as will be describedlater.

The shaft 62 has an output crank member 78 which is pivotally connectedto a link 80 through the pivot connection 82. The upper end of vlink 80is pivotally connected to shaft 84 which in turn is pivotally connectedto the first stage closing cam 86. The first stage closing cam 86 isthen pivotally mounted on a fixed shaft 88 which further pivotallymounts a U-shaped spring carrier 90 which has its opposite end pivotallyconnected to shaft 92. Shaft 92 which is operatively connected to thecontacts or any other type load is connected to the upper springcarriers 94 each of which supports a respective spring 48 at their upperends. The bottom of the springs 48 are then connected in the usualmanner to lower spring carriers such as lower spring carrier 96 whichare supported from a fixed support member such as shaft 98.

A latch means or latch mechanism for latching the springs 40 in theircharged condition is comprised of a two stage latch which includes aprimary close latch 100 which is pivotally supported on fixed pivot 102and a secondary close latch 104 which is pivotally mounted on a fixedpivot 106. The primary close latch 100 cooperates with a roller 108which is carried on shaft 82 as shown in Figures 1 and 4 and is biasedto rotate in a clockwise direction about pivot 102 by the biasing spring110, its motion being limited by stop 111. Secondary closing latch 104is biased to rotate in a counterclockwise direction by torsion spring112 and has a latch surface 114 which is engageable with leg 116 ofprimary closing latch 100.

The latch control means is comprised of a control mechanism generallyseen as control mechanism 118 in Figures 1 and 2 which will be fullydescribed later in the application where the control means 118 includesa plunger member-120 which cooperates with the rearwardly extending leg122 of secondary close latch 104. A second member of control means 118which cooperates with the operating mechanism is the limit switchactuator 124 (Figures 1 and 2) which operates to control motor 50 in themanner which will be described hereinafter. The limit switch actuator124 cooperates with the cam surface of crank 78 so that the switch isactivated when the end of the cam surface or portion 79 of crank 78 isreached.

As shown in Figure 3, first stage closing cam 86 is operativelyconnected to the roller 126 which is pivotally carried by collapsiblelink 128. As further shown in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6, the prop latch 130is pivotally supported by pivot 88 and is biased to rotate in aclockwise direction against stop 132 by the biasing spring 134.Collapsible link 128 is pivotally carried by carrier link 136 which ispivotally supported from fixed pivot 138. Carrier link 136 has its righthand end pivotally connected to link 128 through the pivot pin 148 whichfurther supports roller 142. The left hand end of link 128 is thenterminated by a pivotally supported roller 144 which engages the camsurface 42 of operating arm 36.

Collapsible link 128 is normally held in a force transmitting positionby means of the trip latch mechanism which includes a main latch 146which is pivotally mounted on the same fixed shaft 102 which carries theprimary close latch 100. The main latch member 146 is biased in acounter-clockwise direction by the biasing spring 150 of Figures 4, 5and 6 and is normally prevented from rotating in this direction by thetrip latch structure generally seen by numeral 152 which latches roller154 carried on the left hand end of main latch 146. The trip latchstructure 152 is of the normally used type and is described in copendingapplication Serial No. 773,332, filed November 12, 1958, entitled SpringClosing System for Circuit Breakers and assigned to the assignee of theinstant invention. It is sufiicient for the purpose of the instantinvention to understand that the trip latch 152 may be moved to theposition of Figure 6 under various influences whereby the main latch 146is free to rotate in a clockwise direction.

Operation 0 closing mechanism Assume that the circuit breaker contactsare open and the operating mechanism is in its inactive position asshown in Figure 6. The closing is initiated. by energize.-

tion 'of motor 50. Energization of motor 50 will cause shaft 56 and itsoutput arm 54 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction as indicated bythe arrow in Figure 1. As the operating arm 54 rotates, the roller 58will impart an oscillatory motion to pawl carrier 60 about its mountingshaft 62. This oscillatory motion will bring pawl 64 into engagementwith the teeth of ratchet wheel 70 whereby the oscillation from left toright of pawl 64 will move ratchet wheel 70 through a distance slightlylonger than one tooth. Once the ratchet wheel 70 is moved this distance,the holding pawl '72 will move into a blocking position with respect toanother tooth adjacent thereto to thereby hold the ratchet wheel 70 inposition while the driving pawl 64 moves to the left to pick up a newtooth. In this manner, the ratchet wheel 70 and thus the crank arm 78 isrotated counter-clockwise from the position of Figures 2 and 6 to thepositionof Figure 1.

Since the link 80 is carried by crank arm 78, link 80 will be drivenupwardly to cause rotation of carrier 90 in a clockwise direction aboutfixed shaft 88 to thereby extend spring 48 which is fixed at shaft 98 atits bottom. This motion continues over a first distance until the pivotpoint 82 first passes a dead center position over shaft 62 at which timeroller 108 of crank 78 is brought into latching engagement with primaryclose latch 100. At the same time limit switch actuator 124 is releasedby the cam surface of crank 78 and operates its limit switch tode-energize motor 50 while the driving pawl 64 has moved into the fiattooth area 77 to be incapable of imparting a force to shaft 62. Hence,

' the springs 48 are charged to a predetermined condition.

Actuation of plunger 120 as will be described more fully hereinafter,will cause it to engage extension 122 of secondary closing latch 104 torotate latch 104 in a clockwise direction as seen in Figure 5. Thisrotation will remove latch surface 114 of secondary close latch 104 fromextension 116 of primary closing latch 100 to thereby allow the primaryclosing latch 100 to be cammed upwardly to rotate in a counter-clockwisedirection by roller 108 through the spring force of closing springs 48.Thus, the link 80 is driven from spring 48 through the carrier 90 andshaft 84 in a downward direction to drive cam 86 in a counter-clockwisedirection until it reaches the bottom of its travel as shown in Figure 2and the spring 48 is fully discharged. During this rotation, ratchet 70rotates freely with respect to pawls 64 and 72 so that the discharge ofthe springs 48 is independent of the motor 50.

As the springs 48 discharge and drive the carrier 90 downwardly, thefirst stage closing cam 86 is rotated in a counter-clockwise directionabout shaft 88. The cam surface of first stage closing cam 86 willtherefore drive roller 126 downwardly as seen in Figure 5 so thatcollapsible link 128 is rotated about pivot point 140, it being assumedthat latch 146 is in its latching position. The clockwise rotation ofcarrier 128 will cause the roller 144 to move along the second stageclosing cam 42 of contact arm 36 so as to drive the contacts to theirengaged position as shown in Figure 5.

It is to be noted that this novel structure utilizes a first and secondstage closing cam mechanism whereby the force-displacementcharacteristic of the opening spring 44 of Figure 3 can be closelymatched to the closing springs 48 of the spring closing mechanism.Furthermore, the high latch forces required to latch the spring 48 inits charged condition are substantially reduced through the use of thetwo stage latch including primary closing latch 100 and secondaryclosing latch 104.

While the contacts are being driven to their closed position, the roller126 will move downwardly and into engagement with the lower leg of proplatch 130. This will cause prop latch 130 to be cammed in acounterclockwise direction against the biasing force of spring '6 134until roller 126 moves below the bottom leg of the prop latch 130. Onceroller 126 passes the bottom leg of prop latch 130, the biasing spring134 rapidly resets the prop latch 130 so that its bottom leg moves intothe blocking position of Figure 5 to prevent the return of carrierroller 126.

If during the closing operation the circuit breaker contacts close on afault or if during normal operation there is a fault along the line, thetrip latch 152 will be operated to the position of Figure 6 to releasemain latch 146. This will allow the main latch 146 to rotate in aclockwise direction as shown in Figure 6 so that the collapsible link128 is no longer supported at pivot 148. The reaction of roller 142 onthe eccentric support surface of the main latch 146 produces thismotion. The opening springs 44 will drive the circuit breaker confactsto a disengaged position with carrier 128 rotating in the manner definedby the point of engagement of roller 144 and cam 142 and the permissibleline of movement of pivot 148 about its fixed pivot 138. Thus, themechanism is made trip-free and the circuit breaker contacts candisengage independently of the closing mechanism. Note that this motionwill bring the roller 126 to the left of the extension of prop latch 130so that the mechanism may be simply reset with roller 126 movingupwardly and past the prop latch 130. Note also that latches and 104will automatically reset after roller 108 of crank 78 is released andplunger is withdrawn, by the latch biasing spring 110 which pulls latch100 clockwise to cam latch 104 to its latching position.

in the structure described heretofore, the closing operation proceededbecause of operation of plunger 120. Figure 2a illustrates an embodimentin which the springs are discharged responsive to the operation ofmanual closing button which, as will be seen hereinafter, may alsooperate as part of a lockout means to prevent possible false closingcycles, or pumping. In Figure 2a, the secondary close latch 104 isprovided with a rearwardly extended portion 162 in Figure 2a whichcooperates with link 164 which is pivotally mounted at fixed pivot 166and is biased to rotate in a clockwise direction by biasing means 168.The upper end of link 164 has a portion 170 which cooperates with button160 so that the link 164 will be rotated counterclockwise when button160 is depressed. Tnis counter-clockwise rotation will cause a clockwiserotation of secondary close latch 104 about its pivot 106 to therebyunlatch the primary close latch 100 in a manner identical to thatdescribed above whereby the circuit breaker contacts are ultimatelyoperated to a closed position.

Since this novel spring close mechanism is actuated through thereciprocating motion of pawl carrier 60, the closing mechanism may becharged by a manual operating lever as well as a motor. This is shown inFigure 4 where lever 172 is a manual operating lever. Lever 172 has anextending hook 174 which engages a cooperating slot (not shown) in pawlcarrier 60 whereby a rocking motion of handle 172 will cause thecharging of the springs in an identical manner by that achieved by motor50. Thus, the circuit breaker contacts may be manually closed undernormal or emergency conditions. Furthermore, it allows the operatingmechanism to be inspected during a prolonged manual closing operationwhere the motion of spring carrier 90 is defeated and latch 100 isdefeated.

This is accomplished by a blocking member 175', shown in Figures 4, 5and 6, which is pivotally mounted on pivot 132 and has an extendingportion reaching through an aperture in wall 177 so as to be accessibleto an operator. By rotating spring blocking member 175 clockwise whenspring carrier 90 is in the position of Figure 4, the blocking memberwill move behind surface 179 of spring carrier 90 (Figures 5 and 6) tothereby prevent motion of the spring carrier 90. .It is then possible toslowly operate the mechanism through its closing cycle by means ofoperating handle 172 which will slowly rotate shaft 62 mdependently ofmotor 0.

Control mechanism The control mechanism generally seen at numeral 118 iscontained within an upper housing 150 and a lower housing 152 asgenerally seen in Figure 2. The lower housing 152 contains the solenoidand magnetic structures for the various control elements as will bedescribed hereinafter in connection with Figures 1 and 7 while the upperhousing which as will be described more fully hereinafter in connectionwith Figures 1 and 9 contains the contact structures of the magneticstructures of the lower housing 152. The upper and lower housings 158and 152 are as shown in Figure 2, removably connected by any desiredfastening means such as the screws 154 and 156 of Figure 2. Thus thefastening screws are easily connected and disconnected so thatmaintenance personnel can lift the upper housing 150 away from lowerhousing 152 and gain access to the control mechanism.

The control housing generally contains, as seen in Fig ure 1, a limitswitch mechanism 158, a lockout relay mechanism 160 and a latch releasemechanism 162.

The limit switch mechanism 158 is best seen in Figures 1, 7, l0 and 11and is composed of a movable contact carrier 164, which is carriedwithin an appropriate cooperating aperture of bottom housing 152. Thecontact carrier 164 has an aperture 166 extending therethrough (Figures1, and 11) which receives one end of a limit switch crank 168. Limitswitch crank 168 is pivotally carried in lower housing 152 and, as bestseen in Figure 11, is flexibly connectedto the contact carrier 164 bymeans of biasing spring 170. Hence, a rotary movement of crank 168 willmove the carrier 164 upwardly or downwardly along a line guided by themolding of the lower housing 152.

Contact carrier 164 flexibly carries bridging contacts 172, 174 and 176as is best seen in Figures 1, 9, l0 and 11. Bridging contact 172cooperates with a pair of stationary contacts 178 and 180 which aresupported from the upper housing 150 and as shown in Figures 8 and 11,bridging contact 174 cooperates with stationary contacts 182 and 184while the bridging contact 176 (Figure 9) cooperates with a pair ofstationary contacts 186 and 188. Each of stationary contacts 178 through188 are then brought out to terminal positions 190 through 200 respectively as seen in Figures 7 and 9 where terminals 194 and 196 are shownin Figure 11.

The spring 170 and crank arm 168 are so arranged that the bridgingcontacts 172 nad 176 are normally in an open position since spring 204biases crank 168 in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Figure 1.In this position, the bridging contact 174 is in a normally closedposition and is moved to an open position when crank 168 is rotatedclockwise Note that the clockwise rotation of crank 168 is normallyprevented by the engagement of its opposite end 202 with the limitswitch actuator 124 as seen in Figure l and as will be described morefully hereinafter.

An overtravel spring 170 is associated with carrier 164 and crank arm168 so that when crank arm 168 is rotated counter-clockwise, as shown inFigure 11, variations in its position will be compensated for by theelasticity of spring 170 while contact carrier 164 remains positionedagainst its upward stop in upper housing 156.

The lockout relay mechanism 166 of Figure 1 is further illustrated inFigures'7, 9, 10 and 12 and is comprised of a lower magnetic structure206 which is supported from the bottom housing 152 and a cooperatingupper magnetic structure 208 which is movably supported within the lowerhousing 152. Calibration biasing springs 212 and 214 (Figure 12) arepositioned between the upper and lower magnetic housings 266 and 208 tobias them to predetermined relative position The center legs of magnets206 and 208 are then encompassed by an energizing winding 216 which isenergized fromthe control circuit in the manner to be describedhereinafter. Upper magnet 208 further carries a contact carrier 218 asseen in Figures 1, 9 and 12 where the contact carrier 218 flexiblycarries bridging contacts 220 and 222, which cooperate with stationarycontacts 224-226 and 228230 respectively. The bridging contact 222 is ina normally engaged position while the bridging contact 220 is in anormally disengaged position as seen in Figures 8, 10 and 12. Clearly,when coil 216 in energized bridging contact 222 will move to adisengaged position while bridging contact 220 will move downwardly toan engaged position since upper marget 208 will move downward.

'The latch release mechanism 162 isset forth in Figures 1, 9, 10 and 13and comprises a lower magnet structure 234 and upper magnet structure236 each of which are supported in the lower housing 152 and uppermagnet structure 236 is biased to a predetermined position by biasingsprings 238 and 248. An energizing coil 242 then encompasses the centerlegs of magnetic structures 236 and 238 in the usual manner. The uppermagnetic structure 236 pivotally carries a pair of operating links 244on the extending pivotal link 246. A central portion of links 244 ispivotally mounted on a fixed pivot 248 (Figures 1 and 9) and links 244extended to pick up a portion of plunger 120. More specifically, link 244 is connected to member 250 (Figures 1 and 13) which is threadablycarried by plunger by a pivotal connection including pin 252. A biasingspring 254 is then positioned between member 250 and a portion of theupper housing 156 so as to bias plunger 120 downwardly. The plunger 120is then calibrated by rotating screw head 256 which is threadedlyengaged with member 250 so that the normal position of the top ofplunger 120 is controlled independently of the position of link 244;

A manual operating means for plunger 120 is comprised of operating link258 which is pivoted at a fixed pivot 260 and is engageable with pin246. Thus a motion of operating link 258 to drive pin 246 downwardlywill cause pin 252 and thus the plunger 120 to be moved upwardly. V

The limit switch actuator 124 is positioned within the upper housing asbest seen in Figures 1 and 9 to be guided within a cooperating notch inthe housing and provides a force transmitting link between the camsurface of crank arm '78 and the limit switch 158.

The manner in which the above described components are preferablyconnected in the control circuit is set forth in Figure 14. Referringnow to Figure 14, a source of control voltage which is either A.-C. orD.-C. is provided at terminals 262 and 264. The charging motor 50 is ina first circuit and is connected in series with a control power switch266 and limit switch stationary contacts 178 and 180 (with bridgingcontact 172 in its normally closed position) and the auxiliary switchcontact 268. Auxiliary switch contact 268 is a so-called b type switchand is associated with the circuit breaker movable contact as indicatedby the dotted lines from the schematically illustrated circuit breaker270 so that it is closed when the circuit breaker contacts are open andis opened when the circuit breaker contacts are closed. A second circuitis provided and includes remote close contact 272 and local closecontact 274. These contacts are connected in parallel and control thedischarge of the closing springs to closethe circuit breaker such ascircuit breaker 270. Each of remote close contacts 272 and local closecontact 274 are connected in series with the latch release coil 242,normally open limit switch contact 174-182-184, normally closed lockoutcontact 222228-230 of the lockout relay and a second normally closed 15contact 276 which is also operable dependent upon the position of thecontacts of circuit breaker 2'70. 7 V

The close switches 272 and 274 are further connected in series with athird circuit which includes lockout relay coil 21d, and the parallelconnected contacts including norn'raliy closed limit switch Contact176-1861ii and normally open iockout contact 22i224-226.

The dependence of the various relay contacts upon their respectiveoperating coils is illustrated in Figure 14 by means of the dottedlines. Thus, the lockout coil 216 is schematically illustrated as beingassociated with movable contacts and 222. In a similar manner, thecircuit breaker closing springs are schematically illustrated asmaintaining movable contacts 172 and 176 in their normally closedposition and movable contact 174 in its disengaged position when thecircuit breaker charging springs are discharged.

Control mechanism operation The closing operation is best understoodfrom Figures 1 and 14, and is initiated by closing the control powerswitch 266. At this time, it will be assumed that the closing springs d3of Figure 1 are discharged and that the circuit breaker contacts areopen so that contact 172 is in an engaged position and the contact 26 3is closed. Accordingly the motor 55 will be energized so that disk 78will rotate in the manner heretofore described from the position ofFigure 4 to the latched position of Figure 1. Once the latch position ofFigure l is reached, limit switch actuator 12% moves off the end of thecam surface of crank '78 at portion 79 so that biasing spring 2% willpull end 2&2 of limit switch crank 163 upwardly. This will cause theshaft of crank 163 to rotate so that the end of the shaft seen in Figure11 will be driven downwardly and carry contact carrier 164 of limitswitch 158 downwardly. Accordingly, limit switch contacts 172 and 176will disengage switch 176 while limit switch contact 174 moves to anengaged position. The disengagement of limit switch contact 172 whichcontrols the energization of motor Sil to charge the spring closingmechanism will then stop the charging openation in the position ofFigure 1. Since the driving pawl 54 is operating within the surface ofmissing tooth 77 when the motor is deenergized, continued rotation ofmotor 56 while stopping will have no effect on the charging mechanism.Accordingly the charging position of the mechanism is independent of anycharacteristic of motor 53.

In order to now transfer the stored energy of spring 48 to the closingmechanism, the remote close contact v or the local close contact (whichmay be of the momentary type) is closed. Since the springs are chargedand the limit switch is operated, normally open limit switch contact 174is closed so that latch release coil 242 is energized through the limitswitch contact 374, normally closed contact 222 of the lookout structureand the b switch 27 6 which is closed since the circuit breaker contactsare still open. The energization of coil 242 will energize magneticstructures 234; and 236 so that structure 236 will be drawn downwardagainst the force of biasing springs 23% and 24d of Figure 13. Thisdownward motion will cause link 24% to rotate in a clockwise directionabout pivot 243 (Figure 1) so that pin 252 and plunger 12% attachedt.ereto will be driven upwardly. The upward movement of plunger 120 willthen operate secondary close latch 164 in the manner heretoforedescribed so that the stored energy of springs 48 is transmitted to thecircuit breaker contacts through the first stage close cam $6.

Once the circuit breaker contacts are closed, the b switches 26% and 276are disengaged so as to prevent reenergization of motor 50 and tode-energize latch release coil 242 and allow plunger 120 to return toits inactive position under the influence of biasing spring 254. Therefore, the secondary close latch 104 and primary close latch 190 maybe subsequently reset. Note that as the circuit breaker closes, thelimit switch contacts 172, 174 and 176 will return to their normalposition of Figure 14 since the cam surface of link 78 is brought aroundto the position of Figure 2 so as to depress the limit switch actuator124' It is to be noted that the springs 48 may be dischargedindependently of close switches 2'72 and 274 by means of manuallyoperable lever 253. Thus, once the springs are charged, lever 25s ofFigure 1 may be rotated counterclockwise so as to cause magneticstructure 236 to be depressed exactly in the manner at which it occursunder electrical operation whereby plunger is moved up to defeat latch104. The lockout feature of the control circuit will operate to providea positive de-energization of the latch release circuit after any singleoperation of this circuit and so long as contacts 272 and 274 areclosed. During the closing of limit switch contact 176 after the circuitbreaker is closed, the lockout coil 216 will be energized trough theclosed contact 176. Note that contact 176 was maintained open previousto the closing of the circuit breaker and after the motor 50 wastie-energized. The energization of lockout coil 216 will cause its uppermagnetic structure 2&8 to be moved downwardly so as to open normallyclosed contact 222 and close normally open contact 220. The closing ofcontact 220 will operate to seal the relay in its energized positionsince it completes a circuit through the lockout coil 216 across theenergizing terminals 262 and 264. Accordingly, contact 222 will besealed in its open position to thereby positively prevent a subsequentenergization of latch release coil 242 and a false closing cycle.

In the event that the circuit breaker is to be instantaneously chargedafter the circuit breaker contacts are closed, it is only necessary toremove the b type contact 268. With this adjustment, the contact closingwill proceed in the manner described above, but when limit switchcontact 172 recloses after the closing of the circuit breaker, motor 5'9will be re-energized so as to recharge springs 48 to the position ofFigure 1. Note that the novel lockout operation will also follow for theautomatic reset type operation since the lockout coil 216 will defeatthe latch release circuit through contact 222.

The novel control scheme of Figure 14 is seen to provide a positiveprevention of re-energization of latch release coil 242 under allconditions where control power is available even if the close contacts272 and 274 are held closed and the charging mechanism is automaticallyrecharged after operation.

The system further prevents a false closing cycle even if the controlpower is lost after closing of the circuit breaker to defeatenergization of lockout coil 216 and th circuit opens on a fault with asubsequent return of control power which would operate the latch releasecoil 2 52. In this situation, the interval of time required forresetting the latches 100 and 104 as well as the collapsible mechanismof Figure 3 is longer than the time required to reset the lockout relayincluding coil 216. Thus, before the breaker is ready to reclose, thecontact 222 will be disengaged to defeat the closing operation. But evenif the electrical lockout is not reset in time, the resetting operationof collapsible link 128 of Figure 3 may be made long enough to have thedischarge of the springs take place during the toggle operation when itis impossible to reclose the breaker.

A second embodiment of the novel mechanism is shown in Figure 15 whichis identical to Figure 14 except that the manual trip lever has itsfunction performed by the local close switch shown in Figure 2a. Thelocal close contact 274 of Figure 14 is eliminated and the control powerlockout switch 280 is added in the motor control circuit. The controlpower lockout switch 286 is contained within manually operable switch160 of Figure 2a is as schematically illustrated in Figure 15 and isspring loaded by spring 282 so as to be biased to an engaged position.In operation, when the button 160 is depressed, lever 164 is rotated asdescribed above as to defeat the secondary close latch 104 and thusclose the circuit breaker. At the same time, the contact 280 moves to adisengaged position (when it is operated to discharge the springs) sothat as the close button 160 is held closed, the motor will not rechargethe springs to carry through another closing cycle. Releasing button 160will allow switch contacts 280 to close and latches 100 and 194 to resetwhereby the normal charging operation may be initiated as described inFigure 4.

Although I have described preferred embodiments of my novel invention,many variations and modifications will now be obvious to those skilledin the art, and I prefer therefore to be limited not by the specificdisclosure herein but only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A spring closing mechanism for the movable contact of a circuitbreaker; said spring closing mechanism comprising a chargeable spring, alatch means, a charging mechanism for said spring, and an energytransferring mechanism; said spring having a first portion thereofoperatively connected to a relatively fixed member and a second portionthereof operatively connectible to said charging mechanism; saidcharging mechanism including an operating means, a reciprocating memberand an output member movable in only a first direction; said operatingmeans being operatively connected to said reciprocal member to impartreciprocal motion thereto; said reciprocal member being operativelyconnected to said output member to drive said output member in only saidfirst direction during a first motion of said reciprocal member andbeing incapable of driving said output member during movement reciprocalto said first motion; said output member be ng operatively connected tosaid second portion of said spring and moving said second portion ofsaid spring to a charged position during operation of said output memberin said first direction under the influence of said reciprocatingmember; said output memher being further constructed to be movable insaid first direction independently of said reciprocal member after saidoutput member reaches a first predetermined position; said latch meansbeing positioned to latch said output member in a second predeterminedposition which is beyond said first predetermined position when saidoutput member reaches said second predetermined position; said latchmeans being defeatable to permit discharge ofsaid spring independentlyof said reciprocating member; said energy transmitting means beingoperatively connected between said second portion of said spring andsaid movable contact; said energy transferring means transferring thestored energy of said spring to said movable contact when said springdischarges.

2. A spring closing mechanism for the movable contact of a circuitbreaker; said spring closing mechanism comprising a chargeable spring, alatch means, a charging mechanism for said spring, and an energytransferring mechanism; said spring having a first portion thereofoperatively connected to a relatively fixed member and a second portionthereof operatively connectible to said charging mechanism; saidcharging mechanism including an operating means, a reciprocating memberand an output member movable in only a first direction; said op eratingmeans being operatively connected to said reciprocal member to impartreciprocal motion thereto; said reciprocal member being operativelyconnected to said output member to drive said output member in only saidfirst direction during a first motion of said reciprocal member andbeing incapable of driving said output member during movement reciprocalto said first motion; said output member being operatively connected tosaid second portion of said spring and moving said second portion ofsaid spring to a charged position during operation of said output memberin said first direction under the influence of said reciprocatingmember; said output member being further constructed to be movable insaid first direction independently of said reciprocal member after saidoutput member reaches a first predetermined position; said latch meansbeing positioned to latch said output member in a second predeterminedposition which is beyond said first predetermined position when saidoutput member reaches said second predetermined posi-- tion; said latchmeans being defeatable to permit discharge of said spring independentlyof said reciprocatingv member; said energy transmitting means beingoperatively connected between said second portion of said spring andsaid movable contact; said energy transferring means transferring thestored energy of said spring to said movable contact when said springdischarges; said operating means including a motor having an outputcrank arm for reciprocally driving said reciprocating member.

3. A spring closing mechanism for the movable contact of a circuitbreaker; said spring closing mechanism comprising a chargeable spring, alatch means, a charging mechanism for said spring, and an energytransferring mechanism; said spring having a first portion thereofoperatively connected to a relatively fix d member and a second portionthereof operatively connectible to said charging mechanism; saidcharging mechanism including an operating means, a reciprocating memberand an output member movable in only a first direction; said operatingmeans being operatively connected to said reciprocal member to impartreciprocal motion thereto; said reciprocal member being operativelyconnected to said output member to drive said output member in only saidfirst direction during a first motion of said reciprocal member andbeing incapable of driving said output member during movement reciprocalto said first motion; said output member being operatively connected tosaid sec-- ond portion of said spring and moving said second portion ofsaid spring to a charged position during operation of said output memberin said first direction under the influence of said reciprocatingmember; said output mem-- ber being further constructed to be movable insaid firsti direction independently of said reci rocal member after saidoutput member reaches a first predetermined posi-- tion; said latchmeans being positioned to latch said output member in a secondpredetermined position which: is beyond said first predeterminedposition when said output member reaches said second predeterminedposi-- tion; said latch means being defeatable to permit discharge ofsaid Spring independently of said reciprocating member; said energytransmitting means being operatively connected between said secondportion of said spring and said movable contact; said energytransferring means transferring the stored energy of said spring to saidmovable contact when said spring discharges; said operating meanscomprising a manual operating lever operatively connectible to saidreciprocating member.

4. A spring closing mechanism for the movable contact of a circuitbreaker; said spring closing mechanism comprising a chargeable spring, alatch means, a charging mechanism for said spring, and an energytransferring mechanism; said spring having a first portion thereofoperatively connected to a relatively fixed member and a second portionthereof operatively connectible to said charging mechanism; saidcharging mechanism including an operating means, a reciprocating memberand an output member movable in only a first direction; said operatingmeans being operatively connected to said reciprocal member to impartreciprocal motion thereto; said reciprocal member being operativelyconnected to said output member to drive said output member in only saidfirst direction during a first motion of said reciprocal member andbeing incapable of driving said output member during movement reciprocalto said first motion; said output member being operatively connected tosaid second portion of said spring and moving said second portion ofsaid spring to a charged position during operation of said output memberin said first direction under the influence of said reciprocatingmember; said output member being further constructed to be movable insaid first direction independently of said reciprocal member 13 aftersaid output member reaches a first predetermined position; said latchmeans being positioned to latch said output member in a secondpredetermined-position which is beyond said first predetermined positionwhen said output member reaches said second predetermined position; saidlatch means being defeatable to permit discharge of said springindependently of said reciprocating member; said energy transmittingmeans being operatively connected between said second portion of saidspring and said movable contact; said energy transferring meanstransferring the stored energy of said spring to said movable contactwhen said spring discharges; said operating means comprising a manualoperating lever operatively connectible to said reciprocating member;said reciprocating member being further adapted to receive a manuallyoperable operating lever for imparting reciprocal motion to saidreciprocating member independently of said motor.

5. A spring closing mechanism for the movable contact of a circuitbreaker; said spring closing mechanism comprising a chargeable spring, alatch means, a charging mechanism for said spring, and an energytransferring mechanism; said spring having a first portion thereofoperatively connected to a relatively fixed member and a second portionthereof operatively connectible to said charging mechanism; saidcharging mechanism including an operating means, a reciprocating memberand an output member movable in only a first direction; said operatingmeans being operatively connected to said reciprocal member to impartreciprocal motion thereto; said reciprocal member being operativelyconnected to said output member to drive said output member in only saidfirst direction during a first motion of said reciprocal member andbeing incapable of driving said output member during movement reciprocalto said first motion; said output member being operatively connected tosaid second portion of said spring and moving said second portion ofsaid spring to a charged position during operation of said output memberin said first direction under the influence of said reciprocatingmember; said output member being further constructed to be movable insaid first direction independently of said reciprocal member after saidoutput member reaches a first predetermined position; said latch meansbeing positioned to latch said out put member in a second predeterminedposition which is beyond said first predetermined position when saidoutput member reaches said second predetermined position; said latchmeans being defeatable to permit discharge of said spring independentlyof said reciprocating member; said energy transmitting means beingoperatively connected between said second portion of said spring andsaid movable contact; said energy transferring means transferring thestored energy of said spring to said movable contact when said springdischarges; said operating means comprising a manual operating leveroperatively connectible to said reciprocating member; and defeatingmeans for said second portion of said spring; said defeating means beingmovable to defeat motion of said second portion of said spring aftersaid output member is moved to said second predetermined position; saidclosing mechanism being movable through its closing cycle by manualoperation of said reciprocal member independently of said spring whensaid spring is defeated by said defeating means.

6. A spring closing mechanism for the movable contact of a circuitbreaker; said spring closing mechanism comprising a chargeable spring, alatch means, a charging mechanism for said spring, and an energytransferring mechanism; said spring having a first portion thereofoperatively connected to a relatively fixed member and a second portionthereof operatively connectible to said charging mechanism; saidcharging mechanism including an operating means, a reciprocating memberand an output member movable in only a first direction; said operatingmeans being operatively connected to said reciprocal member to impartreciprocal motion thereto; said reciprocal member being operativelyconnected to said output member to drive said output member in only saidfirst direction during a first motion of said reciprocal member andbeing incapable of driving said output member during movement reciprocalto said first motion; said output member being operatively connected tosaid second portion of said spring and moving said second portion' ofsaid spring to a charged position during operation of said output memberin said first direction under the influence of said reciprocatingmember; said output member being further constructed to be movable insaid first direction independently of said reciprocal member after saidoutput member reaches a first predetermined position; said latch meansbeing positioned to latch said output member in a second predeterminedposition which is beyond said first predetermined position when saidoutput member reaches said second predetermined position; said latchmeans being defeatable to permit discharge of said spring independentlyof said reciprocating member; said energy transmitting means beingoperatively connected between said second portion of said spring andsaid movable contact; said energy transferring means transferring thestored energy of said spring to said movable contact when said springdischarges; said output member including a ratchet portion movable withrespect to a holding pawl; said reciprocating member carrying a drivingpawl for driving said ratchet portion of said output member only in saidfirst direction.

7. A spring closing mechanism for the movable contact of a circuitbreaker; said spring closing mechanism comprising a chargeable spring, alatch means, a charging mechanism for said spring, and an energytransferring mechanism; said spring having a first portion thereofoperatively connected to a relatively fixed member and a second portionthereof operatively connectible to said charging mechanism; saidcharging mechanism including an operating means, a reciprocating memberand an output member movable in only a first direction; said operatingmeans being operatively connected to said reciprocal member to impartreciprocal motion thereto; said reciprocal member being operativelyconnected to said output member to drive said output member in only saidfirst direction during a first motion of said reciprocal member andbeing incapable of driving said output member during movement reciprocalto said first motion; said output member being'operatively connected tosaid second portion of said spring and moving said second portion ofsaid spring to a charged position during operation of said output memberin said first direction under the influence of said reciprocatingmember; said output member being further constructed to be movable insaid first direction independently of said reciprocal member after saidoutput member reaches a first predetermined position; said latch meansbeing positioned to latch said output member in a second predeterminedposition which is beyond said first predetermined position when saidoutput member reaches said second predetermined position; said latchmeans being defeatable to permit discharge of said spring independentlyof said reciprocating member; said energy transmitting means beingoperatively connected between said second portion of said spring andsaid movable contact; said energy transferring means transferring thestored energy of said spring to said movable contact when said springdischarges; said output member including a ratchet portion movable withrespect to a holding pawl; said reciprocating member carrying a drivingpawl for driving said ratchet portion of said output member only in saidfirst direction; said ratchet portion having a missing tooth portion;said missing tooth portion being engaged by said driving pawl when saidoutput member is moved to and latched in said second predeterminedposition whereby continued operation of said reciprocating member doesnot move said output member.

8. A spring closing mechanism for the movable con- 15 tact of a circuitbreaker; said'spring closing mechanism comprising a chargeable spring, alatch means, a charging mechanism for said spring, and an energytransferring mechanism; said spring having a first portion thereofoperatively connected to a relatively fixed member and a second portionthereof operatively connectible to said charging mechanism; saidcharging mechanism including an operating means, a reciprocating memberand an output member movable in only a first direction; said operatingmeans being operatively connected to said reciprocal member to impartreciprocal motion thereto; said reciprocal member being operativelyconnected to said output member to drive said output member in only saidfirst direction during a first motion of said reciprocal member andbeing incapable of driving said output member'during movement reciprocalto said first motion; said output member being operatively connected tosaid sec- =ond portion of said spring and moving said second portion ofsaid spring to a charged position during operation of said output memberin said first direction under 'the influence of said reciprocatingmember; said output member being further constructed to be movable in"said first direction independently of said reciprocal member after saidoutput member reaches a first predeterzmined position; said latch meansbeing positioned to l'latch said output member in a second predeterminedposition which is beyond said first predetermined position when saidoutput member reaches said second predetermined position; said latchmeans being defeatable to permit discharge of said spring independentlyof said re- =ciprocating member; said energy transmitting means beingoperatively connected between said second portion of said spring andsaid movable contact; said energy transferring means transferring thestored energy of said spring to said movable contact when said springdischarges; said operating means including a motor having an outputcrank arm for reciprocally driving said reciprocating member; saidoutput member including a ratchet portion movable with respect to aholding pawl; said reciprocating member carrying a driving pawl fordriving said ratchet portion of said output member only in said firstdirection; said ratchet portion having a missing tooth portion; saidmissing tooth portion being engaged by said driving pawl when saidoutput member is moved to and latched in said second predeterminedposition whereby continued operation of said reciprocating member doesnot move said output member.

9. A spring closing mechanism for the movable contact of a circuitbreaker; said spring closing mechanism comprising a chargeable spring, alatch means, a charging mechanism for said spring, and an energytransferring mechanism; said spring having a first portion thereofoperatively connected to a relatively fixed member and a second portionthereof operatively connectible to said charging mechanism; saidcharging mechanism including an operating means, a reciprocating memberand an output member movable in only a first direction; said operatingmeans being operatively connected to said reciprocal member to impartreciprocal motion thereto; said reciprocal member being operativelyconnected to said output member to drive said output member in only saidfirst direction during a first motion of said reciprocal member andbeing incapable of driving said output member during movement reciprocalto said first motion; said output member being operatively connected tosaid second portion of said spring and moving said second portion ofsaid Spring to archarged position duringoperation of said output memberin said first direction under the influence of said reciprocatingmember; said output member being further constructed to be movable insaid first direction independently of said reciprocal member after saidoutput member reachcsa first predetermined position; said latch meansbeing positioned to latch said output member in a second predeterminedposition which is beyond said first predeterminedposition when saidoutput member reaches said second predetermined position; said latchmeans being deieatable to permit discharge of said spring independentlyof said reciprocating member; said energy transmitting means beingoperatively connected between said second portion of said spring andsaid movable contact; said energy transfervring means transferring thestored energy of said spring to said movable contact when said springdischarges; said operating means including a motor having an outputcrank arm for reciprocally driving said reciprocating member; a limitswitch; an energizing circuit for said motor; said limit switch beingconnected to control the energization of said motor by said energizingcircuit; said limit switch being positioned to be operated by a portionof said operating mechanism when said output member reaches said secondpredetermined position to de-energize said motor.

10. A spring closing mechanism for the movable contact of a circuitbreaker; said spring closing mechanism comprising a chargeable spring, alatch means, a charging mechanism for said spring, and an energytransferring mechanism; said spring having a first portion thereofoperatively connected to a relatively fixed member and a second portionthereof operatively connectible to said charging mechanism; saidcharging mechanism including an operating means, a reciprocating memberand an output member movable in only a first direction; said operatingmeans being operatively connected to said reciprocal member to impartreciprocal motion thereto; said reciprocal member being operativelyconnected to said output member to drive said output member in only saidfirst direction during a first motion of said reciprocal member andbeing incapable of driving said output member during movement reciprocalto'said first motion; said output member being operatively connected tosaid secondportion of said spring and moving said second portion of saidspring to a charged'position during operation of said output member insaid first direction under the influence of said reciprocating member;said'output member being further constructed to be movable in said firstdirection independently of said reciprocal member after said outputmember reaches a first predetermined position; said latch means beingpositioned to latch said output member in a second predeterminedposition which is beyond said first predetermined position when saidoutput member reaches said second predetermined position; said latchmeans being defeatable to permit discharge of said spring independentlyof said reciprocating member; said energy transmitting means beingoperatively connected between said second portion of said spring andsaid movable contact; said energy transferring'means transferring thestored energy of said spring to said movable contact when said springdischarges; said operating means including a motor having an outputcrank arm for reciprocally driving said reciprocating member; saidoutput member including a ratchet portion movable with respect to aholding pawl; said reciprocating member carrying a driving pawl fordriving said ratchet portion ofsaid output member only in said firstdirection; said ratchet portion having a -missing tooth portion; saidmissing tooth portion being engaged by said driving pawl when saidoutput member is moved to and latched in said second predeterminedposition whereby continued operation of said reciprocating member doesnot move said output member; a limit switch; an energizing circuit forsaid motor; said limit-switch being connected to control theenergization of said motor by said energizing circuit; said limit switchbeing positioned to be operated by a portion of said operating mechanismwhen said output member reaches said second predetermined position tode-energize said motor.

11. A spring closing mechanism for the movable contact of a circuitbreaker; said spring closing mechanism comprising a chargeable spring, alatch means, a charging mechanism for said spring, and an energytransferring mechanism; said spring having a first portion thereofoperatively connected to a relatively fixed member and a second portionthereof operatively connectible to said charging mechanism; saidcharging mechanism including an operating means, a reciprocating memberand an output member movable in only a first direction; said operatingmeans being operatively connected to said reciprocal member to impartreciprocal motion thereto; said reciprocal member being operativelyconnected to said output member to drive said output member in only saidfirst direction during a first motion of said reciprocal member andbeing incapable of driving said output memher during movement reciprocalto said first motion; said output member being operatively connected tosaid second portion of said spring and moving said second portion ofsaid spring to a charged position during operation of said output memberin said first direction under the influence of said reciprocatingmember; said output member being further constructed to be movable insaid first direction independently of said reciprocal member after saidoutput member reaches a first predetermined position; said latch meansbeing positioned to latch said output member in a second predeterminedposition which is beyond said first predetermined position when saidoutput member reaches said second predetermined position; said latchmeans being defeatab-le to permit discharge of said spring independentlyof said reciprocating member; said energy transmitting means beingoperatively connected between said second portion of said spring andsaid movable contact; said energy transferring means transferring thestored energy of said spring to said movable contact when said springdischarges; said operating means including a motor having an outputcrank arm for reciprocally driving said reciprocating member; a limitswitch; an energizing circuit for said motor; said limit switch beingconnected to control the energization of said motor by said energizingcircuit; said limit switch being positioned to be operated by a portionof said operating mechanism when said output member reaches said secondpredetermined position to de-energize said motor; said portion of saidoperating mechanism for controlling said limit switch comprising a camsurface carried by said output member.

12. A spring closing mechanism for the movable contact of a circuitbreaker; said spring closing mechanism comprising a chargeable spring, alatch means, a charging mechanism for said spring, and an energytransferring mechanism; said spring having a first portion thereofoperatively connected to a relatively fixed member and a second portionthereof operatively connectible to said charging mechanism; saidcharging mechanism including an operating means, a reciprocating memberand an output member movable in only a first direction; said operatingmeans being operatively connected to said re ciprocal member to impartreciprocal motion thereto; said reciprocal member being operativelyconnected to said output member to drive said output member in only saidfirst direction during a first motion of said reciprocal member andbeing incapable of driving said output Inember during movementreciprocal to said first motion; said output member being operativelyconnected to said second portion of said spring and moving said secondportion of said spring to a charged position during operation of saidoutput member in said first direction under the influence of saidreciprocating member; said output member being further constructed to bemovable in said first direction independently of said reciprocal memberafter said output member reaches a first predetermined position; saidlatch means being positioned to latch said output member in a secondpredetermined position which is beyond said first predetermined positionwhen said output member reaches said second predetermined position; saidlatch means being defeatable to permit discharge of said springindependently of said reciprocating member; said energy transmittingmeans being operatively connected between said second portion of saidspring and said movable contact; said energy transferring meanstransferring the stored energy of said spring to said movable contactwhen said spring discharges; said latch means including a primary latchfor latching a portion of said output member and a secondary latch formaintaining said primary latch in a latching position; said primary andsecondary latches forming a two stage latch system for latch loadreduction.

13. A spring closing mechanism for the movable contact of a circuitbreaker; said spring closing mechanism comprising a chargeable spring, alatch means, a charging mechanism for said spring, and an energytransferring mechanism; said spring having a first portion thereofoperatively connected to a relatively fixed member and a second portionthereof operatively connectible to said charging mechanism; saidcharging mechanism including an operating means, a reciprocating memberand an output member movable in only a first direction; said operatingmeans being operatively connected to said reciprocal member to impartreciprocal motion thereto; said reciprocal member being operativelyconnected to said output member to drive said output member in only saidfirst direction during a first motion of said reciprocal member andbeing incapable of driving said output member during movement reciprocalto said first motion; said output member being operatively connected tosaid second portion of said spring and moving said second portion ofsaid spring to a charged position during operation of said output memberin said first direction under the influence of said reciprocatingmember; said output member being further constructed to be movable insaid first direction independently of said reciprocal member after saidoutput member reaches a first predetermined position; said latch meansbeing positioned to latch said output member in a second predeterminedposition which is beyond said first predetermined position when saidoutput member reaches said second predetermined position; said latchmeans being defeatable to permit dis charge of said spring independentlyof said reciprocating member; said energy transmitting means beingoperatively connected between said second portion of said spring andsaid movable contact; said energy transferring means transferring thestored energy of said spring to said movable contact when said springdischarges; said output member including a ratchet portion movable Withrespect to a holding pawl; said reciprocating member carrying a drivingpawl for driving said ratchet portion of said output member only in saidfirst direction; said ratchet portion having a missing tooth portion;said missing tooth portion being engaged by said driving pawl when saidoutput member is moved to and latched in said second predeterminedposition whereby continued operation of said reciprocating member doesnot move said output member; said output member further including anactuating crank; said ratchet portion of said output member beingcarried on the periphery of said actuating crank; said second portion ofsaid spring being pivotally connected to a radial portion of saidactuating crank.

14. A charging sysem for a spring; said spring having a first portionoperatively connected to a relatively fixed structure and a secondportion operatively connected to a load; said charging system includingan operating means, a charging mechanism and a latch means; a first andsecond connecting means for operatively connecting said chargingmechanism to said second portion of said spring and said operating meansrespectively; said charging mechanism being movable through a firstdistance to a predetermined position under the influence of saidoperating means; said second portion of said spring being moved to afully charged position when said charging mechanism reaches saidpredetermined position; said latch means being positioned to latch saidcharging mechanism in said predetermined position when saidpredetermined position is reached; said second connecting means forconnecting said charging mechanism to said .operating means beingconstructed to render said charging mechanism movable independently ofsaid operating means when said predetermined position is reached. 15. Acharging system for a spring; said spring having a first portionoperatively connected to a relatively fixed structure and a secondportion operatively connected to a load; said charging system includingan operating means; a charging mechanism and a latch means; a first andsecond connecting means for operatively connecting said chargingmechanism to said second portion of said spring and said operating meansrespectively; said charging mechanism being movable through a firstdistance to a predetermined position under the influence of saidoperating means; said second portion of said spring being moved to afully charged position when said charging mechanism reaches saidpredetermined position; said latch means being positioned to latch saidcharging mechanism in said predetermined position when saidpredetermined position is reached; said second connecting means forconnecting said charging mechanism to said operating means beingconstructed to render said charging mechanism movable independently ofsaid operating means when said predetermined position is reached; saidoperating means comprising an electrically energizable means.

16. A charging system for a spring; said spring having a first portionoperatively connected to a relatively fixed structure and a secondportion operatively connected to a load; said charging system includingan operat- .ing means; a charging mechanism and a latch meansya firstand second connecting means for operatively connecting said chargingmechanism to said second portion of said spring and said operating meansrespect1vely; said charging mechanism being movable through a firstdistion is reached; said charging mechanism including a reciprocallymovable pawl operatively'driven by said operating means and acooperating ratchet; saidcooperating ratchet being operatively connectedto said second portion of said spring and being movable toward saidpredetermined position under the influence of said driving pawls, andthereafter being movable independently of said driving pawl and underthe influence of said spring when said latch means is defeated.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS JensenNov. 1, 1949 Caswell Jan. 13, 1959

